May 03 / 15.25 Pontefract

15.25

Good To Soft

Inclusive, Supportive Training At The NHC Handicap

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Inclusive, Supportive Training At The NHC Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 7512-1 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Form figures of 121 since undergoing a breathing operation and he made all at Redcar (7f, soft) three weeks ago; only 2lb higher for this and returning to 1m won't bother him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(8)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

The Cookstown Cafu

9st 4lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Campaigned only over 7f-1m; justified favouritism at Newcastle (AW) on seasonal debut, registering a first win since joining current yard; back up 5lb but remains well treated on peak form and he's 2-3 at Pontefract; should remain competitive, provided he stays the new trip.

5/1

1st

1

(10)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

The Cookstown Cafu

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

Way down the weights now but hasn't won since October 2024 (C&D) and had a quiet end to last season.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 5229-7 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
On a competitive mark on last year's highs but he was never better than mid-division here last week behind Vaccine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(9)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:33 Ayr

Strongbowe

10st 0lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

Dual 1m winner; acts on a sound surface and good to soft; has slid gradually in the handicap and looks well treated on 2023 form; tongue-tie now accompanies cheekpieces; support for him would pique interest.

16/1

12th

8

(2)

15th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Doncaster

Strongbowe

11st 7lb

J: Brian Harding

T: Tim Easterby

Below par more often than not this year but soft ground may not have suited the last twice (most recently at Carlisle on Wednesday) and before those he was a good second at Thirsk (1m, good); capable of a bold show.

20/1

9th

2

(7)

11th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 5

17:03 Carlisle

Strongbowe

10st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won a five-runner race off 7lb higher over C&D in July last season (good to soft); one of his best runs since when second over 1m at Thirsk last month (good) but a lesser effort last time; a possible.

12/1

4/1

Form: 0-2452

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Has been running well since being gelded and found only one too good in a big field over C&D last week; fair chance off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(2)

21st Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

17:30 Pontefract

Vaccine

9st 13lb

J: David Nolan

T: Michael Dods

Disappointing fifth at Redcar last time but has a good record here and won over C&D (good to soft) two starts ago; could bounce back with big run.

9/1

5th

2

(3)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:13 Redcar

Vaccine

10st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Off the mark for the season with last-gasp success at Pontefract (1m, good to soft) three weeks ago; only 2lb higher here and good 3lb claimer Sean Kirrane is enlisted; this straight mile should also suit; respected.

7/2

1st

4

(5)

21st Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:15 Pontefract

Vaccine

9st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

0-12 since novice win in 2021 and below best when mid-division in the Carlisle Bell last time; however, prior to that he ran two good races over this C&D (good to soft/good) and is not discounted.

8/1

Form: 0404-8 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner with solid claims on his best form and entitled to have come on for his reappearance; ground/trip fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(7)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

15:38 Thirsk

Copper And Five

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Ruth Carr

C&D winner who was runner-up over 8.5f at Beverley in April and May; below his best over that same C&D last month but has good claims on his first try in classified company.

8/1

6th

4

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

20:30 Beverley

Copper And Five

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Veteran whose recent consistent vein of form has taken his C&D record to 14224, latest effort in the race won by Anificas Beauty; remains 4lb below last wining mark; holds solid claims.

7/2

6/1

Form: 31644- CD

Last run: 205 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Made a successful handicap debut over C&D (good) last summer but struggled to recapture that form in three starts after a break, albeit over longer trips; bit to prove on softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(1)

10th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Western Stars

10st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jim Boyle

Knows how to win as he showed when successful from four rivals at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) last month, but he was allowed to dictate there and didn't back it up at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) a week ago (has won over that C&D); needs to bounce back.

6/1

7th

1

(1)

10th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Western Stars

10st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jim Boyle

Knows how to win as he showed when successful from four rivals at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) last month, but he was allowed to dictate there and didn't back it up at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) a week ago (has won over that C&D); needs to bounce back.

6/1

6th

6

(1)

3rd Dec 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:27 Lingfield (AW)

Western Stars

9st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Jim Boyle

Recorded his sixth win when making all to justify favouritism off reduced mark at Wolverhampton (1m6f) 18 days ago; this is a deeper race but he's only 2lb higher than last time and has won over C&D in the past; could be a major force again.

4/1

9/2

Form: 12289- CD

Last run: 230 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won by 5l over C&D last summer (good to firm; fine on softer) and followed that with two seconds (1m1f/1m2f); perhaps stretched by 1m4f afterwards; finished second on his 2021 reappearance; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(2)

24th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

20:30 Beverley

Solar Joe

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

led, headed 1f out

7/1

10th

10

(2)

14th Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

15:50 York

Solar Joe

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Favourably treated on his 1m-1m2f form last summer; however, much less appealing on 2023 efforts and chance partly depends on how well he takes to first-time headgear.

14/1

6th

5

(4)

8th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Beverley

Solar Joe

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

slowly into stride, pushed along soon after start, raced in last, pushed along 4f out

15/2

14/1

Form: 000090 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Two turf wins at 1m1f/1m in France and he also ran well in Group 3 events there in 2021; nothing like so good in Britain but he's potentially well handicapped if wind surgery has had a positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(4)

3rd Feb 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

15:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Moai

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Won twice in France (1m-1m1f) as a 3yo; poor form for this yard in 2023, dropping 40lb in the process; may come good at some point but 6f not sure to suit and he's usually slowly away.

16/1

Form: 41219- D

Last run: 234 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Has won three races, the latest a 14-runner handicap at York last August (1m, good to firm; off 4lb lower than today); however, he lacks a run and quicker ground seems best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(11)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Master Richard

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Noel Wilson

A dual 7f winner in 2025 for Ann Duffield; returned with very good placed efforts in 7f handicaps at Newcastle and Musselburgh this spring and not out of things starting out for another new yard here.

4/1

3rd

1

(8)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Master Richard

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

Front-runner who won twice in the second half of last year, the latest in a big field at Thirsk (7f, good) in September; went close on last month's reappearance at Newcastle (7f, AW) and he can make another bold bid.

9/2

2nd

1

(4)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Master Richard

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Stephen Hanlon

Front-runner who is a C&D winner and added another AW success at Southwell (7f) last July; ended 2025 with a good third back at Southwell (7f again) in October; formerly trained by Ann Duffield; claims if ready to roll after five months off.

12/1

Non-runners

Master Richard

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.80
Straight Forecast £22.00
Tricast £54.04
Trifecta £73.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Cookstown Cafu

Telegraph:

Vaccine

The Times:

Solar Joe

NEWMARKET:

Western Stars

TOPSPEED:

Copper And Five

RP Ratings:

The Cookstown Cafu

POSTDATA:

The Cookstown Cafu

The Guardian:

The Cookstown Cafu

Daily Mail:

The Cookstown Cafu

D Express:

The Cookstown Cafu

The Star:

The Cookstown Cafu

Daily Record:

The Cookstown Cafu

The Sun:

Vaccine

Daily Mirror:

Solar Joe